Flu Shots and Side Effects - How Safe Are They?

Are flu shots worth the danger of possibly contracting Guillain-Barré syndrome like Richard Ryan, 44, did? Ryan, a Canadian, got his flu shot last year. A few weeks later he was in so much intense pain he sought treatment at a hospital emergency room. The doctor there knew what he had as soon as the words, “flu shot” were mentioned.

Richard Ryan was hospitalized for ten weeks and spent three of those weeks in intensive care, paralyzed.

I’ve often wondered if it might be worthwhile to get flu shots, but so far, have avoided them. Last winter I discussed this with a co-worker at a restaurant I was then working at.

Cook: “I’ve never had one. One winter someone working here got one and was sick all winter, and I never got sick.”

Me: “I’ve never had one either. I wonder what they put in those shots.”

Cook: “They’re having the flu shot clinic tomorrow. It’s a drive-by clinic. You don’t even have to get out of your car.”

Me: “No thanks. I didn’t get sick at all last winter either. I take precautions like washing my hands a lot. And if I start to feel under the weather, I take a couple Golden Seal capsules. Works every time.”

Cook: “Golden Seal? What’s that?”

Me: “It’s a herb with mild antibiotic qualities. I usually take some Golden Seal, Vitamin C, and orange juice. Not all at one time of course - I like to space things out.”

Cook: “And it really works?”

Me: “For me it does. Just be careful not to take too much. Read the directions.”

Two other employees were feeling sick and the cook told them I recommended Golden Seal. One recovered almost immediately after using Golden Seal extract; the other didn’t. [Note: I don't know how much she took; it may have been minimal as it was the one who actually purchased the Golden Seal that recovered.]

Meanwhile, back in Canada, Richard Ryan has never fully recovered from the effects of his flu shot. The Guillain-Barré syndrome symptoms are in remission, but it could return at any time. Ryan’s illness turned into CIDP - Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy. He still uses medication, can’t work, and has developed memory loss.

Source: B.C. man paralyzed after flu shot warns of risks published in CDC News on October 22, 2008.

One more thing: You can learn a lot by reading the 100+ reader comments on the article I referenced.